Valentine’s day is coming. There are advertisements everywhere asking one to buy gifts, flowers, and sweets for one’s loved ones. It is so compelling and sweet deals are offered. We all want and wish to send Valentines. Continue reading
In Tantra, Padukapanchaka means the “Fivefold footstool of the Guru”. It is a hymn praising the key centers in the body, particularly within the Sahasrara (Crown chakra). It represents the divine seat of consciousness where Kundalini energy culminates leading to liberation and realization through visualization the Guru’s feet resting on the mystical throne. It is central to Kundalini and Laya Yoga, describing the ascent of consciousness through stages like the twelve petalled lotus, sacred triangles, Nada-Bindu, and Mani-Pitha culminating in union with the Divine. Continue reading
When one touches the deities’ feet, one is not just offering reverence one is saying, “I leave my burdens here. I offer my ignorance. I ask to walk your path.”
Your learning’s idle, incomplete
If you have not placed it at that source’s feet. – Tiruvalluvar, The Tirukurral, translated by Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Failure is a strong word. Understanding the meaning and applying it to one’s life enables one to connect with one’s core and inner divinity. This is the reason why so many philosophers and Gurus have written and explained this word with gravity and in detail. Continue reading
Law of Divine compensation is described as the spiritual principle of reaping what you sow or divine recompense. The core principle is spiritual reciprocity: the basic idea is that actions, whether positive or negative have consequences that return to the doer, not merely as a direct transaction but part of a universal balance maintained by a higher power. Continue reading
Why should we perform Hridayadi Nyasa? The answer is to connect with the Divine and to become aware of our inner divinity. Continue reading
Nyasa means a ritual practice that involves placing Bija (seed) or shakti mantras often in conjunction with a specific deity or chakra. I am describing Shakti Nyasa and Bija Nyasa. Nyasa are advanced forms of Hindu worship. They are performed to energise the Sadhaka’s body with Shakti and Bija mantras. Continue reading
In the Hindu faith, unguents and oils were used as offerings. Their purpose was to please the deity and in the presence of the deity to undergo a sense of purification, while worshipping.
How do I stay in my home? How can I be at peace in my home? Do I define my home as being materially comfortable or is my home my internal spiritual abode? Where is my home? Continue reading
Navaratri is celebrated to honour Durga’s victory over the defeat of Mahishasura, who was a threat to the universe. None of the Gods could overcome him. The Goddess, Durga was gifted strengths from all the Gods and she became omnipotent. Only the Cosmic mother could destroy him and she was Durga. In Navaratri, different forms of the Goddess are worshipped each day. Continue reading
The Gita offers a method of attaining happiness. It introduces the concept of the three gunas (qualities of nature): sattva (goodness), rajas (passion) and tamas (inertia). It suggests that happiness derived from tamas (ignorance) is fleeting and ultimately leads to suffering. Happiness derived from sattva (pure consciousness) is lasting and leads to true joy. Continue reading
Dear ones, we are all afraid of fear. Its insidious presence is in everyone and it is very enthusiastic about ruling and controlling us. What can we do about it? Devi Mahatmyam (The glory of the Goddess) answers this question. Fear is addressed in Devi Mahatmyam. One must not be consumed by the ego and a false sense of fear. Continue reading
The Hindu path of penance is a way of self-improvement and spiritual growth involving self-discipline, atonement and a sincere effort to connect with the divine.
Several internal flames have to be lit for the sadhana of penance.
First flame to be kindled is for not being restless. Restless means distracted and constantly pursuing desires and trivialities in life. This flame then continues to burn and the impurities of this life vanish. Continue reading
He who sees equally, whether in pleasure or pain, his own self in everything, because he can be compared with his own self, he is deemed the highest yogin Arjuna. – Chapter 6.33
The Yogin experiences the pleasures or suffering of all beings as his own.
A yogin is someone who has achieved a state of self-realization and union with the divine, often through dedicated practice and self-discipline. A yogin is characterized with equanimity, control over the senses and detachment from worldly desires, viewing everything dispassionately.
Aim Hrim Klim
Something opens our wings.
Something makes boredom and hurt disappear.
Someone fills the cup in front of us:
We taste sacredness. – Jalal-ud-din Rumi